�
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 9, 2005
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215
Welfare Rolls Continue to Fall
2nd quarter data ending June 2004
show another decline in caseloads
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced today that caseloads for both families and individuals receiving cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program declined between the first and second quarters of calendar year 2004.
“Throughout the first four years of the Bush Administration, we have seen caseloads decline continuously,” Secretary Leavitt said. “Now it is important to work with Congress to reauthorize welfare reform so more families can be strengthened by work instead of weakened by welfare dependency.”
Between March and June 2004, TANF caseloads for families dropped 1 percent, from 1,992,143 to 1,969,909. For individuals the caseload declined 1.3 percent, from 4,798,986 to 4,729,291.
Welfare rolls have fallen during the last year of data. The most recent twelve months of reporting show that between June 2003 and June 2004 TANF caseloads for families dropped 3.0 percent, from 2,031,563 to 1,969,909. For individuals the caseload declined 4.4 percent, from 4,948,745 to 4,729,291.
“More Americans are leaving welfare and entering the economic mainstream,” said Dr. Wade F. Horn, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. “The Bush Administration is dedicated to welfare reform because it replaces dependency with self-sufficiency.”
The 1996 TANF law expired September 30, 2002 and is operating under a temporary extension. President Bush’s proposal to reauthorize welfare reform would strengthen work requirements while providing the assistance needed to help low-income Americans advance in their careers.
To view the state-by-state data, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2004/TANF2_data04.htm.
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news